Burglaries, Thefts, and Surprising Stats: FBI Reveals 2022 Property Crime Trends

For the first time in decades, the property crime rate in the U.S. rose year over year. According to the FBI's latest crime statistics (which reflect crime incidents reported in 2022), property crime offenses were up 7.1% in 2022 compared to the previous year. But it's not all bad news—a more extended view shows a substantial 24.9% decrease over a decade.

The latest FBI statistics reveal key findings regarding property crime in the United States in 2022.¹

Total property crime offenses: In 2022, an estimated 6,513,829 offenses were reported nationwide.

Trends: When compared to 2021, property crime offenses increased by 7.1 percent in 2022. However, when looking at a 10-year trend, property crime offenses decreased by 24.9 percent in 2022 compared to the estimate in 2013.

Property crime rate: The property crime rate in 2022 was estimated at 1,954.4 incidents per 100,000 people, marking a 6.7 percent increase from the 2021 rate. Nevertheless, this rate was notably lower than the estimates in 2018 (13.6 % less) and 2013 (28.8% less).

Breakdown by offense type: Larceny-theft accounted for the majority (71.7 %) of all property crimes in 2022, indicating that theft-related offenses were the most common. Motor vehicle theft made up 14.5 % of property crimes, while burglary accounted for 13.8%.

These statistics demonstrate that while there was a modest increase in property crime rates in 2022 compared to the previous year, the long-term trend shows a substantial reduction in property crimes over the past decade. Larceny-theft remains the most prevalent property crime type, which highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent theft-related offenses.

The FBI's comprehensive report on crime statistics for the year 2022 sheds light on various aspects of criminal activities across the United States. The data, collected from over 11 million criminal offenses reported through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, provides invaluable insights into the state of property crime in the nation.²

The FBI has been transitioning to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) since 2016 to improve data collection and analysis. In 2021, the data collection was exclusively based on NIBRS submissions, providing a more detailed and comprehensive view of crime in the United States.

Property crime, as defined by the FBI's UCR Program, includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. These crimes involve the unlawful taking of money or property without the use or threat of force. Arson, although categorized as a property crime, differs in that it involves the destruction of property and may sometimes involve force. Due to limited participation and varying collection procedures by local law enforcement agencies, arson data is less comprehensive and typically excluded from SafeWise reports and analyses of property crime.

It is important to note that these statistics are derived from data provided by law enforcement agencies across the country, and changes in reporting procedures or local enforcement priorities can impact the numbers. However, the FBI's Crime in the Nation report provides a valuable resource for understanding property crime rates and trends nationwide, aiding law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and communities in their efforts to combat property-related crimes.

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1. FBI, “Press release: FBI Releases 2022 Crime in the Nation Statistics.” October 16, 2023. Accessed October 26, 2023.
2. FBI, Crime Data Explorer. Accessed October 26, 2023.